bitter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
  2. noun the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth
    bitterness.
  3. noun the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste
    bitterness.
  4. verb make bitter
  5. adjective satellite marked by strong resentment or cynicism
    acrimonious.
    • an acrimonious dispute
    • bitter about the divorce
  6. adjective satellite very difficult to accept or bear
    • the bitter truth
    • a bitter sorrow
  7. adjective satellite harsh or corrosive in tone
    blistering; acerbic; acrid; vitriolic; virulent; sulphurous; acerb; sulfurous; caustic; acid.
    • an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
    • a barrage of acid comments
    • her acrid remarks make her many enemies
    • bitter words
    • blistering criticism
    • caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
    • a sulfurous denunciation
    • a vitriolic critique
  8. adjective satellite expressive of severe grief or regret
    • shed bitter tears
  9. adjective satellite proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity
    • a bitter struggle
    • bitter enemies
  10. adjective satellite causing a sharp and acrid taste experience
    • quinine is bitter
  11. adjective satellite causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold
    biting.
    • bitter cold
    • a biting wind
  12. adverb extremely and sharply
    piercingly; bitingly; bitterly.
    • it was bitterly cold
    • bitter cold

WordNet

Bit"ter noun
Etymology
See Bitts.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
Bit"ter adjective
Etymology
AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.
  2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day.
  3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.
    It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. Jer. ii. 19.
  4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
    Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col. iii. 19.
  5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
    The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. Ex. i. 14.
    Syn. -- Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious.
Bit"ter noun
Definitions
  1. Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.
Bit"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make bitter. Wolcott.

Webster 1913